A Wasted Week...for the most part

I spent more time with the seam ripper than the sewing machine this week.

My first big letdown was when I stopped in at a Joann Fabrics that is not one of the usual two larger Joann stores that I frequent.  As soon as I walked in I saw a nice display of printed knits and BOOM
there was this fabric.

I just whipped this little drapey cardigan after I returned from my trip to New York City where I  found it at Mood for $10 a yard and was very pleased with myself.  Well, there it was at Joanns for $5 a yard!  My guess is that the manufacturer way overproduced this and its going to be everywhere.

I don't usually visit this particular store because it is smaller than most stores and tends to cater quite a bit to the Amish and Mennonite that populate the area.  Bet they won't be grabbing this up.

GRRRRRR.  Has this happened to you?  Do you feel ripped off?

But the $5 a yard was too good to pass up and I bought this eye-crossing print. 

It looks great with this heavier weight charcoal knit. I am "taking" an on-line Craftsy class in how to make your own patterns from ready-to-wear and I may copy a top I have with this.

Some failures were just so dumb.  Little bags for my Etsy shop are usually a snap, but for some reason I seemed to get everything cock-eyed and crooked.  Top-stitching also gave me fits.

This is the only decent production for the week.

Love the way it matches the one climatis bloom.  There are a zillion buds that haven't opened yet. 

                              It has a recessed zipper. The lining color photographed way too bright. 

A matching zipper bag with lace and a bike on the other side

My plan is to make more stuff from this till the fabric is gone.  I have done this with other fabrics lately and have come up with some nice coordinating pieces and when its gone, its GONE which will help cut down on the fabric overflow.  And speaking of fabric overflow... 

A trip to Target today was rewarded with more storage.  I had those two shelves side by side and they were spilling over.  This cute little glass-doored cabinet was marked way down for clearance and they even gave me another 10% off for a mar in the finish. Even better, I did NOT have to assemble it.  

      I simply set one of the cases on top of it. Now I don't have to crouch down to see all my thread. Several bags of scraps were sacrificed because this is not ALL of the fabric in this room. Everything looks pretty organized...for now.

Evolution of the Sewing Room

I've been seeing lots of interesting blog posts and Pinterest pins lately about where you do your sewing and so I am adding another one to the mix.  My space has been evolving ever since moving into this house almost 12 years ago. This room would have been a dining room but I never intended it to be one. Notice the chair rail the builder put in by mistake. I didn't ask for it.

NOTE: I did not put the casters on either of these pieces as I am barely five foot tall and they added two unwanted inches. Perhaps I should add the casters to ME!

For the first years it was known as the computer room because when I was working as a school librarian I needed it for lesson planning and research and communication. But NOW it has almost been completely transformed into a sewing room.                                                                                                                                                                                            :

When I recently acquired my new sewing machine I got the new table (see here ) . Immediately after getting this all set up, Joann Fabrics offered this "ironing center" at a great price. I love that it has storage.

The large surface serves as my cutting board when I place my large mat on top and I can move around three sides of it making it easier.
If you sew apparel this large rectangle with no pointed end probably won't work for you. I have to get out the old ironing board to do my clothes.
Another  down side was the ridiculously inadequate ironing cover. It came with a thin piece of that shiny silver stuff with a pad of foam about 1/8 inch thick. I was sure it would melt! Since the surface is solid without holes as are most conventional boards, a better padded and heat reflecting/surface was necessary. First a thin cotton batting then a quilted heat reflecting layer. The next is the thin wimpy cover with a nice cord and toggle for tightening and finally the aqua and white polka-dot to dress it up.

 

styrofoam packing from the box the sewing table came in. It's so light I can hang it with just a ribbon.

 Now, I really got on a roll...literally with this ribbon organizer. It was on sale for 1/2 off. Problem is I still have all of this:

 And then there is THIS!

As I said, it is an evolution.

Next weeks blog post will be late. I am doing an artsy/craftsy show. If you live in northern Ohio check it out.

VineArts

It is being held at a winery so I am madly producing wine related items.